Windhoek is set to host the 10th Anniversary of the Leaders Without Borders Annual Business Summit & International Honours from 24–25 October 2025, an event that underscores Africa’s evolving role in global trade and investment. The summit, convened by the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre (LWBDC), will bring together a diverse network of senior executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore strategies that strengthen intra-African trade and foster sustainable economic growth.
At the centre of this milestone gathering is His Excellency Dr Nangolo Mbumba, the former fourth President of the Republic of Namibia, who has been invited as the Special Guest of Honour and VVIP Speaker. His participation is significant not only for Namibia but also for Africa’s broader economic trajectory, as it reflects a commitment to regional dialogue that places African agency at the heart of global economic discourse.
The 2025 edition of the summit will take place under the theme “Eliminating Intra-African Trade Barriers – Strengthening Policy Reforms & Strategic Execution Models for Africa’s Economic Growth.” This focus echoes the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade by more than 50% through tariff reductions, regulatory harmonisation, and enhanced connectivity. According to the International Monetary Fund, African economies are projected to achieve an average growth rate of 3.8% in 2025, underscoring the timeliness of such discussions.
The summit will also feature the unveiling of the Top 50 Emerging Businesses in Africa, an initiative designed to highlight enterprises that have demonstrated resilience, scalability, and innovation over at least three years of sustained operation. This recognition is intended to draw attention to Africa’s growing entrepreneurial landscape, which is increasingly shaping global markets and attracting international investment.
Delegates will include C-suite executives, technocrats, and government representatives from across Africa and beyond, with sectoral representation spanning financial technology (FinTech), property technology (PropTech), information systems, financial markets, agribusiness, infrastructure development, mining, and renewable energy. This broad participation reflects Africa’s multidimensional economic landscape and the recognition that the continent’s future growth depends on inclusive and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Namibia’s hosting of the summit underscores its strategic role as a rising hub for trade and investment in Southern Africa. With a stable political environment and notable progress in public-private partnerships and renewable energy initiatives, Namibia presents itself as an ideal location for continental and international dialogue. The selection of Windhoek also highlights the city’s ambition to serve as a gateway for regional commerce, in alignment with the LWBDC’s mission to facilitate global partnerships and open new trade corridors.
Over the past decade, the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre has partnered with more than 60 international institutions, curating platforms that support cross-border partnerships and bilateral cooperation. The 10th Anniversary Summit will extend this legacy by enabling business-to-business (B2B) exchanges, targeted investment matchmaking, and panel discussions on technology, regulation, and economic transformation.
As Africa navigates a post-pandemic era defined by supply chain diversification, digitalisation, and shifting global priorities, this summit offers an important space for Africans to shape their own narratives of economic progress. It serves as a reminder that African voices and institutions are central to reimagining global trade systems in ways that advance mutual prosperity and reinforce the continent’s economic sovereignty.
For further details, including registration, visit the official website of the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre at www.lwbdevcentre.org.
